The physical toll of the presidency

January 20, 2015 |Compiled by Zane Sparling

Democrat, Independent, Republican—the passage of time remains a true nonpartisan.

Americans are familiar with the process: a youthful, still boyish looking president is voted into office, only to exit the White House a tired, grey-haired man eight (or occasionally four) years later.

A recent study confirms what most of us take for granted; stress and premature or rapid aging are intrinsically linked.

And whether or not you approve of the current President (or the last one), being CEO of the USA remains one of the most stressful jobs on Earth.

The physical toll of leadership in America is writ large on the bodies of those who command. Click through to watch the past 5 presidents age through their years in the White House.

Rob Mcleod/Getty Images

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Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown

Democrat, Independent, Republican—the passage of time remains a true nonpartisan.

Americans are familiar with the process: a youthful, still boyish looking president is voted into office, only to exit the White House a tired, grey-haired man eight (or occasionally four) years later.

A recent study confirms what most of us take for granted; stress and premature or rapid aging are intrinsically linked.

And whether or not you approve of the current President (or the last one), being CEO of the USA remains one of the most stressful jobs on Earth.

The physical toll of leadership in America is writ large on the bodies of those who command. Click through to watch the past 5 presidents age through their years in the White House.